Absolute Championship Berkut returned on Saturday with their 86th event, ACB 86. The card was stacked top to bottom with quality fights. The main event was a rematch between Marat Balaev and Yusup Raisov who faced off for the Featherweight title. In the co-main event, Askar Askarov put his Flyweight title on the line against Rasul Albaskhanov. Moreover, Batraz Agnaev looked to defend his Light-Heavyweight title against fellow heavy-hitter Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov.

The fight started off with Balaev marching forward, just like he did for the majority of their first fight. Balaev got in on a single leg but Raisov kept his balance well and started pummelling Balaev with punches. Although he got his face bloodied up, Balaev was relentless and eventually swept Raisov’s leg and took his back. From there, Balaev threatened with the rear naked choke but Raisov was able to escape and end up on top. Raisov landed some ground and pound and as Balaev was starting to get up he took his back and eventually got the rear naked choke for the finish.

The first round was fought at a very high pace. Perhaps surprisingly, Albaskhanov spent the majority of the round in top position. However, Askarov stayed active off the bottom and threatened with submissions. Askarov ended the round in top position and seemed to have the momentum going into the second round. Albaskhanov’s takedown attempts started becoming more predictable and Askarov has little trouble stuffing them. After defending a takedown, Askarov applied a modified guillotine choke in a scramble which sealed the win for him.

Agnaev started by walking Yagshimuradov down who was more than happy to stay on the outside and move a lot. Yagshimuradov landed several leg kicks as well as secured a high amplitude takedown which may have won him the opening round. In the second round, Yagshimuradov landed several big right hands which rocked Agnaev. Yagshimuradov used the opportunity to secure another takedown. From there he secured the mount before taking Agnaev’s back and sinking in the rear naked choke for the win.